Fiery 7-vehicle crash on Eisenhower Expressway leaves 1 dead

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ELMHURST, Ill. — One person was killed and three injured in a fiery crash Thursday afternoon on the inbound Eisenhower Expressway.

Three tractor trailers and four cars were involved in the crash at Saint Charles Road, which happened about 2 p.m., according to Illinois State Police. All inbound and outbound lanes were closed for several hours Thursday afternoon as authorities investigated.

The man killed has been identified as Christopher Follett, 37, of Munster, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

Crews could be seen washing away firefighting foam, which spanned the entire width of the interstate. Three drivers were transported to area hospitals with non-life threatening injuries, according to the ISP. Several others refused treatment at the scene.

After Vanessa Underwood heard the crash by her home, she ran down to the express way to see what exactly happened.

"You could see a plume of dark smoke, and by the time we got down here, they'd already put it out; multiple fire departments here,"

A nearby fire department put the fire out with foam, which ensured fuel on the expressway wouldn't blow up. Nancy Gorman was taking care of her 6-year-old grandson Brady when she heard four loud booms; she lives just 50 feet from the expressway.

"It was a scary sound real scary so i was like you better get over here with me," she said. "You knew it was a bad accident."